Houston – Early-stage intervention in prostate cancer is the best approach to treatment of the disease, said a urologist at Baylor College of Medicine.

Prostate cancer, when caught in the early stages, is highly treatable and curable, said Dr. Dov Kadman, professor of urology at BCM. The introduction of the prostate-specific antigen test about 15 years ago has strongly influenced the ability to catch cancer early. PSA is a protein produced by normal and cancerous prostate cells; PSA blood levels are elevated when produced by prostate cancer cells.

Beginning at age 50, it is recommended that men have a PSA test every year. Men with a family history of prostate cancer and African American men should begin yearly screenings at age 40. Men should continue prostate cancer screenings and consider treatment if necessary into their late 70s.

Depending on a man’s age, there are recommended blood levels that may indicate the need for a biopsy and further treatment. Standard forms of early prostate cancer treatment include surgery (removal of the prostate gland) and radiation therapy.